Off-season moves bolster Roughriders on defence
REGINA The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping some offseason additions will pay off defensively in 2018.
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, bolstered the defence with the freeagent signings of defensive tackle Zack Evans, linebacker Sam Hurl and defensive back Jon Ojo. Jones further improved the defence by trading for defensive end Charleston Hughes.
How the aforementioned additions gel with the returnees remains to be seen. At least on paper, the Riders are better defensively at most positions than they were in 2017.
With the Riders slated to open training camp in Saskatoon on Sunday, the Leader-Post’s Murray McCormick breaks down Saskatchewan’s defence, after previously focusing on the offence, with an additional look at special teams. Roster players are listed in alphabetical order.
An asterisk denotes an international player.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Returnees: DE Tobi Antigha*, DE Rakim Cox*, DE Makana Henry, DT Nick James*, DE Willie Jefferson*, DT Eddie Steele. Newcomers: DT Zack Evans, DE Charleston Hughes*, DL Justin Horton*, DT Gary Wilkins*. 2018 draft picks: DL Mathieu Breton, DL Tresor Buama-Mafuta. The skinny: The Riders looked outside the organization to improve their defensive line after finishing eighth in the CFL with 27 sacks in 2017. Re-signing pending free agent Jefferson, who led the Riders with eight sacks and a leaguehigh 37 pressures, was a key move. The Riders also re-signed Steele, an underrated defensive tackle. Evans, a Regina product, has developed into one of the league’s top defensive tackles. Hughes, 34, led the league in sacks in each of the previous two seasons.
LINEBACKERS
Returnees: Brandyn Bartlett, Alexandre Chevrier, Samuel Eguavoen*, Kevin Francis, Alexandre Gagne, Dillon Grondin, Cameron Judge, Derrick Moncrief *. Newcomers: Akeem Davis*, Chad Geter*, Kalen Jackson*, Sam Hurl, Tyrell Robinson*, Eric Striker*. 2018 draft pick: Micah Teitz.
The skinny: Saskatchewan looked internally to find a replacement at middle linebacker for Henoc Muamba, who was released during the off-season for financial reasons. Eguavoen will move from weak-side linebacker, where he had 57 defensive tackles in 2017, to middle linebacker. The Riders will look at nationals to replace Eguavoen at weak-side linebacker. It should be an interesting competition between Hurl, Francis, Bartlett and Judge to determine the starter. Moncrief returns as the strong-side linebacker and is the front-runner to maintain his starting role.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returnees: Marc- Olivier Brouillette, Crezdon Butler*, Duron Carter*, Mike Edem, Ed Gainey*, Jovon Johnson*, Chris Lyles*, Sam Williams*.
Newcomers: Jeremy Cutrer*, Rudy Johnson, Orlandus Harris*, Nick Marshall*, John Ojo*.
The skinny: Four starters — defensive halfbacks Gainey and Butler, safety Edem and cornerback Jovon Johnson — return. Gainey led the CFL with 10 interceptions in 2017 and was named a league all-star. Butler didn’t have Gainey’s stats, but was nonetheless among the league’s best halfbacks. Johnson was solid as the field cornerback, but could be in a battle to retain his position. Jones said Ojo will start at field cornerback, the position at which he was an all-star with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2015. At six-foot-three, Ojo has the size that Jones favours at defensive back. Carter is expected to see repetitions at cornerback and receiver. That could be an indication that Jones isn’t satisfied with the backups at the position. The Riders feature veterans Edem and Brouillette at safety after the release of Jeff Hecht during the off-season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kickers: Tyler Crapigna, Brett Lauther.
Punter: Josh Bartel.
Long snapper: Jorgen Hus. Returner: Christion Jones*.
The skinny: Saskatchewan’s kicking game is strong with Crapigna handling placements and Bartel punting. Crapigna connected on 36 of 42 field-goal attempts in 2017 while Bartel averaged 43.9 yards per punt. Lauther adds to the Riders’ depth. Hus is a reliable veteran at long-snapper. Jones earned a contract extension through 2020 after proving in 2017 that he’s among the league’s top returners with two punt return touchdowns in the regular season and another in the playoffs. The Riders’ depth at linebacker has boosted their coverage on special teams, which was already good. Hurl is among the league’s top special-teamers and will fit in nicely.
Note: On Thursday, the Riders announced the signings of international quarterback B.J. Daniels and international receiver Kyran Moore, along with the retirement of international linebacker Akeem Davis.